There's more to movies in Cleveland than you think

And plenty of rumors that more movies are planning to film in Cleveland.

But even before all the big-budget buzz, our city has had a rich history in film.

"We love what we're doing and we're dyed in the wool of Clevelanders who've been doing this for years," John Ewing of the Cleveland Cinematheque says.

For nearly 30 years, Ewing has helped to bring some of the world's best and rare movies to Northeast Ohio.

"We're a year-round film festival."

The Cleveland Cinematheque, part of the Cleveland Institute of Art, is located right in the heart of University Circle.

"We show movies here that you won't find anyplace else in town and even America for that matter," Ewing adds. "We did a John Wu and Jackie Chans weekend, long before they were ever discovered by Hollywood."

As most theaters switch to digital systems, Ewing believes old-school film is vital.

"In addition to showing films on 35 mm, which actually still show them from reel-to-reel, which most places can't say anymore."

For the first time since 1986, The Cinemateque will be getting a new auditorium. The Cleveland Institute of Art will move it to Euclid Avenue into a brand new building in the fall of 2015. They will continue to play original 35mm prints, but will also have full digital capabilities as well.

"Film is a beautiful medium," Ewing exclaims. "I hope it's always around, so that people can see it."

Another movie theater in town that's been providing a fresh take on going to the movies is local chain Cleveland Cinemas.

"We've got an awesome lineup of cult films and classic films that we show," David Huffman, director of marketing for Cleveland Cinemas, explains.

David Huffman hand-picks the nostalgic favorites and the so-bad-they're-good B-movies for midnight showings several times a month for just a couple bucks.

And then there's the queen of all midnight movies…

"Rocky Horror has been here at the Cedar Lee for over 25 years now."

With the local acting troupe known as "Simply His Servants" re-enacting the movie live in the theater and costumed audience members chiming in on the dialogue, seeing "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Cedar Lee is a total experience.

See photos from inside the Cedar Lee:

"It's not just watching the movie, you're part of the show."

Huffman is responsible for many local youths falling in love with "Rocky Horror" for the very first time, adding that the typical age range for the audience spans from 17 to 24.

"The age demo has never really changed for 'Rocky Horror,' it's like this eternally young kind of crowd."

In addition to "Rocky Horror," Huffman organizes a late-night cult film series every year that showcases flicks from freaky favorites to funny fare.

"Cleveland was the only city in America showing the controversial, yet cult smash, the 'Human Centipede' on two screens at one time, thanks to me," Huffman says while choking back laughter.

The Cedar Lee also screens the wonderfully awful cult sensation "The Room" on the second Saturday every month at midnight.

Huffman also proudly uses the Cedar Lee to display locally made movies.

"We show a lot of them here. Some filmmakers rent the theater to show their films. We have one that's gonna be playing in the Late Shift series next March from a Toledo filmmaker called 'Skinless' and it was only made for $2,000 and it's a great creepy, gross horror movie."

The Capitol Theatre, another in the Cleveland Cinemas chain, held a premiere for the local cast and crew for Marvel's "Avengers," which was filmed throughout Northeast Ohio in 2011.

"We hosted the premiere of 'The Avengers' over at the Capitol Theatre for the local cast and crew."

When it comes to Cleveland's movie scene, Huffman concludes that many don't realize how lucky we are to have so many diverse films that play here.

"Lots of cities the size of Cleveland don't have such a wide range of films. Thanks to the Cedar Lee and what the Cinematheque does, pretty much every movie really do ultimately play here in Cleveland."